Spring shackle



Dec. y16, 1930. J. w. SMITH 1,785,6.85

SPRING SHAGKLE Filed June 9, 1928 aevrf/Bw INYENTOR NEYJ,

' ligh links Patented Dec. 16, 1930 imrrlazn strates entrar OFFICE .ioi-zNjWsMITH, or New BRITAIN, CONNECTICUT, AssIGNoR To THE FAFNIR BEAR- ING COMPANY, oF New BniTAIN, coNNnCTrcuT, A Con-roRATIoN or CONNECTICUT SPRING SI-IACKLE Application filed June 9, 1928. Serial No. 284,188.

li/Iy invention relates Vto an antifriction spring shackle for connecting a vehicle frame l and spring.

It is an object of the invention to provide 1 a spring shackle in which no adjustment is assembly, and disassembly of the parts.

Briefly stated in a )referred form of the invention, I provide shackle links having antifriction bearing raceivays thereonJ either integral therewith, or formed kas separate elements thereon., The'racevvay portions of said shackles arey spaced apart a definite distance by meansu extending between the shackles adjacentthe ends thereof and preferably con'- centric with the raceways thereon. v'Iubular i means having antifriction bearingmember raceways thereon, either integral therewith or formed as separate elements carried thereby, are provided, and are adapted to be se;

cured to a vehicleframe and spring. Antifriction bearing members are interposed between the raceways 'on said tubular means and on said shackle links.'

In the 'drawings which show, for illustrative purposes only, preferred forms of the mis 4 fragmentary end viewA of a and frameconnected bymeans of an il l eingshown in section the better to illustrate tile invention. V i i s. 2, 3 and 4 show fragmentary views of s ly modified forms.

In said drawings, 5 indicates a portion of a vehicle frame, While 6 indicates a vehicle i tobe connected to the frame by means of a Ze-7 which are i'preferably duplicates of each other, and which maybe either forgings or stampings, are `provided with anti'- friction bearing member racevva sat or ad,-v

I. 1 c l I y K Y Vgacenttne opposite ends thereof. Intthe Y form shown, the antifriction bearing member raceivays are formed. as separate rings or t cups 8%8, though my linvention is not dependent., upon WhetherV the raceWays are roverl s inv shackle construction. arts shackle. Asshovvn in Fig.v 1, shackle,

formed vdirectly in the links or as separate elements thereon. Since both shackle links are preferably duplicates of each other, and since the opposite ends of each link are preferably duplicates, the description of a single Vend Will suffice for all.

rlhe opposed raceway means of opposite links are spaced apart a definite distance, and this spacing-is independent of the anti-friction bearing members to be hereinafter mentioned. In the form shown, I employ a means, such as a through bolt V9 having a shoulder 10 at each end thereof, which abuts the shackle links '7e-7, or, in the particular form shown in Fig. l, the bearing cups 8-8 vheld on the shackle links. `The ends 1() of the through bolt 9 preferably extend through apertures in the links, and are provided with nuts 11-11. I'Vhen the nuts 11 are screwed on tightly, the shackle links 7-7 will be securely held together, and the bearing race- Ways on the shackle links Will be spaced apart definite distances by means of the shoulders, such as l0, on the through bolt.

' The frame and spring` carry means having antifriction bearing member racevvays com- Tplementary to those of the shackle links.

In the form shown in Fig. 1, I .employ separate tubular members 12-12, Which may and preferably do abut each other Within the frame sofas to definitely determine the distance between the antifriction bearing member raceway 13 on one sleeve 12 and that of the corresponding sleeve 12 at the opposite side of thenframe.. If the tubular members 12--12 abut each other Within the frame, the spacing of the bearing raceways or seats 13 will be definitely determined independently of the Widthv or thickness ofthe frame 5.

vAntifriction bearing members such as rollers or balls 14 are interposed between the race- .vvays onthe tubular bearing means and those ofthe shacklelinks. Itis desirable to have the tubular bearing sleeves 12-12 rigidly secured in the frame 5, or have shoulders abut the side ofthe frame, as shown particularly in Fig. l. In any event, the important thing i to be accomplished is the spacing of the bearing seatsl at a definite distance apart. Ob viously theraceways carried by the Spring and frame could be on unitarypins rather `than on tWO-part'pins as illustrated. The

spring 6 is connected to the opposite ends of the shackle links 7-'7 by means Which may be and preferably areV duplicates of those heretofore described in connection with the frame, and no specific description of such duplicate parts need be made.

It is to bel n oted that the through bolts9 are' loose Within the bearing sleeves 12-12, so that-*during use the frame and spring Will l be connected and supported from each other by means of the balls 14 and independently of the through bolts 9.l Suitable dust ringsV 15 may be provided for excluding dust from and retainingY lubricant on the bearings.

" V.In those. forms shown in Figs. y2, 3, and 4,

onlya part of one shackle link and its connections to one'part of a frame'have been killustrated,but itisto be understood that in a complete shackle an arrangement preferably al duplicate of those shown inthese fig- Lures will be provided at the opposite. side of the' frame and'at opposite sides of the'spring,

\ in.V general, similar to the construction of n'ftha't formshoWn in Fig. 2, the shackle :link lvisprovided at each end vvitli an antifriction bearingI member racevvay 17, Which in this modification is formed directly on `the link and not as a separate element as illustrated in Fig; 1. As stated, however, the

- invention is not dependent upon Whether the raceivays are formed directly in the shackle links as shown inFig. 2, or formed as sepa'- rate elements, vasy shownin Fig. 1. The

through bolt 9 is provided, as heretofore described, With a shoulder lOvWhich serves to definitely space the links 16 from its corresponding link (not shown). The remainder of they construction illustrated in Fig. 2 may be substantially the' same as that heretofore describedin connection With Fig. 1. In Fig. 2. it is to Vbe noted that the tubular or sleeve bearing members Y12--12 abut each otherA fvvithintheframef, and the shoulders 18 on these bearing members do not abut the sides of the frame. Ihe distance between the bearing members at opposite ends vof, the tubular bearing members is determinedby the length of-.the tubular sleeves, and as has been heretoforedescribed, such distance is independent ofthe Widthy ofthe frame. f

- In those forms shoWnin Figs. 1 and 2, the

outer races for the antifrietion bearing members are on the shackle links and the inner raceyvays are carried by the spring and frame;

In-.those forms `shown in Figs. Sand 4, the` outer raceivays are carried by the frame and spring, While the inner raceWays are carried Vby the :shackle links. In theV forms shown in Figs. 3k and 4, the outer races are on tubular sleeves .OJO- '20, Which may abiiteach other A Within thev spring and fra-ine, so asto definitelyspaceapart thelbearing-seats 21 on the sleeves Which abut each other. This distance maybe and preferably is independent of the frame` or spring Width as heretofore indicated. In Fig. 3, the race 21 is formed directly on the sleeve 20, While in Fig. 4 the race- Way is formed in a separate `cup 22 on the sleeve 20. The vinner raceyvays of the forms definite distance apart, that is to say, are substantially .non-adjustable, vand this definite spacing is independent of the antifriction bearing members such as the balls., The raceivays ofthe spring and frame 'are yalso spaced a'deiinite distance apart, and this spacing is Vindependent of the ant-ifriction bearing members, and valso preferably inde` pendent' of the particular Width 'of the spring int M11 o 'fit1 and rame, e Long i, oi courso,.iiv ie spring and frame'are of just the desired Width, additional support for the bearing raceivaysniay be provided. lNhen the nut or nuts as 11 are screwed home,V the complementaryy raceways of eachv bearingvill be just the desired distance apart to accommodate the balls or other antifriction devices with Just the desired tightness. It is tobe observed that by properly spacing the shoulders 10 oiithethrough bolts or other spacing means, the bearing raceivays carried by the shackle .links will Ybe definitely spaced. rEhe tubular bearing means carriedby the springend lframe may frame Widths. Thus, all' parts Yare' freely interchangeable, and quantity production of `my improved shackle is'facilitated. assembly the nuts `11-11 are screwed-home' `and with properly made parts the 'is just that desired. rIhereforeV nothing depends shown in Figs. r8 and 4* are on the shackle .y

A.be and preferably are definitely spaced, and the distance between the raceii'ays definitely determined independently ofthe spring and 1 During upon the skill orjudgnient Vof the .assembling mechanic. Y

While the invention has been described in considerable detail and'some alternate forms illustrated, it is to be understood that many other chan ges and modifications may be made Within thef-scope'of ,the invention yas defined in the'appended' claims; i I claim:

I .1. Inan antifrictionspringshackle,-a pair of shackle links having -an'tifriction raceivays Vat opposite ends' thereoifnieans at oppositeV ends'- ofsaid links forcoiinectiiig.said linksy together, and definitely spacingthe Vsame l5 member raceways atthe ends thereof, means extending through said shackles substantially concentric with said raceways for holding said links together rand spacing the same apart at definite distances, means having antifriction' bearing member raceways complementaryto the raceways of said shackle links and antifriction bearing members interposed between the raceways on said means and on said shackle links. l j

3'. In an antifriction spring shackle, a pair of' shackle links, each having spaced apart antifriction bearing member Vraceways thereon, `means extending kthrough said shackle links substantially *concentric with each of said raceways for holding said links together and spacing the saine apart a definite distance, means having antifriction bearing member raceways complementary to said raceways yoir'said shackle links, and antifriction bearing membersinterposed between the raceways onfsaid 'means and on said shackle y. links.

` .4." In an'antifrictionspring shackle, apair of shackle links, each hav-ing'spacedapart Y n antifriction ,bearingmember raceways' thereon, means engaging said links adjacent each of the racewaysthereon for holding said links together and spacing the same apart a denite distance, means `having antifriction bearing member raceways complementary tothe raceways on said shackle links, and antifriction bearing members interposed between the raceways on said means and onsaid links.

5. In an antifriction springshackle, a pair of links having antifriction bearing member raceways at opposite" ends thereof, a pair of Yshouldered through bolts for connectingsaid links togetherand y.spacing the saine apart a deiinite distance, means surroundingwsaid through bolts ,and having antifriction bear'-y ing member lraceways complementary to n those of said shackle links, and antifriction bearing members interposed between the raceways Vof `said means and said shackle links.

6. In an antifriction spring shackle, a pair of shackle links having antifriction bearing member raceways thereon,means comprising a through .bolt havingV integral `shoulders thereon and nuts threaded on the ends'thereof for holding said shackle links together and deiinitely spacing the same apart a defif vnite distance, means having antifriction Y. bearing member raceways complementary to the raceways of said shackle links, and antifriction ybearing members interposed between the raceways of said last mentioned means and said links.

7. Inv an antifriction spring shackle, shackle links having antifriction bearing member/raceways thereon adjacent opposite ends thereof, means comprising a through bolt having integral shoulders thereon and nuts threaded on the ends thereof for spacing the bearing raceways a definite vdistance apart, means having antiiric` tion bearing member raceways complementary to those of said shackle links, and antifriction bearing members interposed between theraceways on said last mentioned means and said links.

8. In an antifriction spring shackle, a pair of shackle links having antifriction bearing member raceways thereon adjacent opposite ends thereof, tubular means extending between said shackle links and having anti friction bearing member raceways complementary to those on said shackle links, antifriction bearing members interposed between the raceways on said tubular means and said shackle links, and `means independent of said antifriction bearing inembers andl extending within said tubular means for definitely spacingl the raceways of said shacklelinks apart a definite distance. l

V9. In anantifriction spring shackle, av pair kof-shackle links having antifriction bearing member raceways adjacent opposite ends thereof, tubular means to be secured to a frame and having antifriction bearing member raceways thereon complementary to those at one end of said shackles, tubular means to be secured to a spring and having antifriction bearing member raceways thereon complementary to those at the other ends of said links, and through bolts having shoulders thereon and extending through said tubular means for spacing said raceways onV said shackle links a definite distance apart, and antifrictionbearing mem-v bers interposed between the race-ways of said kraceways at `the other end of said links,

through bolts, extending throughy said shackles and having shoulders for definitely spacing the raceway portions of said shackle links a definite distance'apart, and means on, said through bolts for holding said shackle links together.

l1. In an antifriction spring shackle, a pair of shackle links having spaced apart seats thereonfseparate antifriction bearing Y member racevvays kseated on said seats, shouldered Vrneansifor holding "said racevvays on said seats and dei'initely. holding saidi links and'racevvays in definitely spaced apartre.- lation, tubular means concentric .With said shouldered means to be carried by a frame and ay spring, said tubular means `having antifriction bearing member` raceways thereon, and antifriction bearing n'fiembersV interposed between said last mentionedraceways and said raceivays carriedby said links.

v 12,y ln an antifriction springshackle, a

pair of shackle links having spacedapart seats thereon', bearing AcupsV seated von'said seats, lthrough-boltV means .having` shoulders thereon engaging said cups, means, onfsaid through-bolt means for holding said cups and shacklelinkstogether, said shoulders engaging said cupsy for delinitely spacing said cups and links apart, tubularl members to, be carried by vaspring .and frame and surrounding; said through-bolt means, said tubular members having bearing raceways at oppositesides of a 'spring and trarne, and antiiriction bearing membersv interposed between the'raceWa-y'sfon said ,tubular` mem# bers and said bea'ringcups.

v'13.v ln an antifriction springy shackle struction, apair of channel-'shaped sh-ackle links, spaced .apart bearing "cups seated in each yoil: said channel'y links, throughbolt means engaging each of saidl bearingT cups and links or holding the same` in definite spaced apart positions,bearingmeans` :having antifriction bearing member racevvaysthereon complementary 5to raceWay lsuri'iacesinV each of said cups, and antifriction bearing members interposed between yeach of said cups and complementary raceWays Von said bearing means.-

14. ln an antifriction :spring shackle,

shackle links havingspacedf-apart antifriction bearing-member racewaysfthereon, spacing means'for spacing the same a' definite kdistance apart, ybearing means havingganti friction bearing-member raceWaysV complementary'to those of saidshackle links, and antifriction bearing members, interposed between the raceWays .on said bearing means and on said links, said bearinglmeans each comprising two-part tubular pins tozbe ref bers secure in definitely spacedv apartrelation.

16. Inman antifriction spring connection,

'tubular bearing means having antifriction bearing member raceWays at the ends thereof, other bearinglineans having antifriction bearingfrmeinber racevvays complementary Ato saidlirst mentioned racevvays and extending aboutsaid first mentioned raceways, antifriction bearing members interposed kbetween saidcomplementary racevvays, and spacing and securing means extending through said tubular bearing means for holding said other bearing means in definitely spaced apart relation for lthe purpose described. j s 17. In an antifriction springV connection, a pair of opposed bearing cups, spacing and tie means eXtendingbetWeen said` cups for deiinitely spacing the same apart andfholding the same in spaced relation',tubular means having bearingfracevvays complementary to rac'eway surfaces of saidycups, antifriction bearing members between saidracevvays and` said spacin and tie means, and side inem to said spacingandtie means for the purpose described.`

18. In -aspringl shackleconstruction,'a

pair of @hemel-Shaped Shaun@ 'here having cupreceiving seats thereon, cups seatedon said seats, .antifrictionbearing members in said cups, dust-rings for said cups for protecting the bearing members therein, tubular pin meansV to be carried by a spring and by a Vframe and having antifriction'-r`aceways formed directly thereonat the ends, said race'vvays engaging said antifriction 4bearing Vmembers, a throughbolt extending' through .each of said tubular pin ineans,'each through- Y bolt having shoulders thereonen'gaging op-v posite cups forspacing the same apart, each ,through-bolt having ends extending through aperture's injsaid shackle links and having means outside of said links for holding said links to each other with the cups carriedA by opposite links indefinite spaced apart relation* .f

l JOHN ceived in a spring and frame, With-saidspacy ing means extending through said two-part ,l

tubular pin.

15. ln an antifriction springA shackle, vtubular pin means to be carried by a frame and having racevvaysV at opposite sides of said frame, tubular pin means ,to be carried'byga spring an'dhavin'g raceWays at oppositefsides of said spring, shacklelinkshaving bearing cups seated thereon, antifriction jbearing members interposed between said bearing cups and the racevvaysion said tubular pin rmeans carried by said spring and said traine,

izo

, 90 f said cups, said tubular.means,surroundingV 

